UF GYMNASTICS

Sloan wins uneven parallel bars title

Florida's Bridget Sloan competes on the uneven bars during individual competition at the NCAA college women's gymnastics championships on Sunday in Birmingham, Ala.

AP

By Charlie PotterHalifax Media Services

Published: Sunday, April 20, 2014 at 8:41 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, April 20, 2014 at 8:41 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Bridget Sloan is no stranger to the big stage. That was apparent in the Gators championship performance in Saturday's Super Six final.

But Sloan stepped up on the final night of competition, winning the 2014 uneven parallel bars title.

“I thought she did phenomenal,” Florida coach Rhonda Faehn said. “It was one of her best bar routines. Everyone competing here today, it's the best of the best, so to win an event title speaks volumes for how well she did compete today.

“Bridget is an extremely talented individual. She has a huge competitive background, and she's a strong competitor, so when she's out there on the bars, her level of amplitude and just her execution and everything she does sets her apart. She really stuck that landing and held it. It was really nice to see that she was rewarded.”

The sophomore from Pittsburgh, Ind., earned a score of 9.9375 on uneven bars, a decent margin ahead of second place's score of 9.925. Sloan also competed on vault, where she received a 9.9167, good enough for sixth place.

“The mood is so light and you're out there talking to everyone, having fun,” Sloan said. “It's really incredible to see a great group of athletes come together cheering on each other to win an individual event. It's icing on the cake. Tonight was just a great night for everyone all around. You never know what's going to happen in gymnastics, but it was an awesome day.”

Seniors Alaina Johnson and Mackenzie Caquatto also competed in the individual championships, as both student-athletes competed on uneven bars and balance beam. Caquatto finished in fourth place on uneven bars with a 9.8875 score. She also received a 9.8375 on balance beam.

Johnson earned two scores of 9.85 on both apparatuses.

“I thought they did wonderful,” Faehn said. “It was so nice for (Mackenzie) and Alaina to get out here. They just hit their routines just like they always do. They were calm, very consistent, really could not have out their careers any better.”

<p>BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Bridget Sloan is no stranger to the big stage. That was apparent in the Gators championship performance in Saturday's Super Six final.</p><p>But Sloan stepped up on the final night of competition, winning the 2014 uneven parallel bars title.</p><p>“I thought she did phenomenal,” Florida coach Rhonda Faehn said. “It was one of her best bar routines. Everyone competing here today, it's the best of the best, so to win an event title speaks volumes for how well she did compete today.</p><p>“Bridget is an extremely talented individual. She has a huge competitive background, and she's a strong competitor, so when she's out there on the bars, her level of amplitude and just her execution and everything she does sets her apart. She really stuck that landing and held it. It was really nice to see that she was rewarded.”</p><p>The sophomore from Pittsburgh, Ind., earned a score of 9.9375 on uneven bars, a decent margin ahead of second place's score of 9.925. Sloan also competed on vault, where she received a 9.9167, good enough for sixth place.</p><p>“The mood is so light and you're out there talking to everyone, having fun,” Sloan said. “It's really incredible to see a great group of athletes come together cheering on each other to win an individual event. It's icing on the cake. Tonight was just a great night for everyone all around. You never know what's going to happen in gymnastics, but it was an awesome day.”</p><p>Seniors Alaina Johnson and Mackenzie Caquatto also competed in the individual championships, as both student-athletes competed on uneven bars and balance beam. Caquatto finished in fourth place on uneven bars with a 9.8875 score. She also received a 9.8375 on balance beam.</p><p>Johnson earned two scores of 9.85 on both apparatuses.</p><p>“I thought they did wonderful,” Faehn said. “It was so nice for (Mackenzie) and Alaina to get out here. They just hit their routines just like they always do. They were calm, very consistent, really could not have out their careers any better.”</p>